6th Principle of Freedom

All Men are Created Equal

We feel it a 'self-evident' truth, a principle, that all men are created equal, but we know that everyone is born different and everyone stays that way. So what does 'created equal' mean? If we focus on the word 'created', which denotes there is a 'Creator', then we can look to this Creator for His meaning of 'equal'.

An Apostle of this Creator, Simon Peter, stated, "...God is no respecter of persons:" (Acts 10:34) showing that God has no respect as to our lineage or circumstances, but he further elaborates, "But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him." (Acts 10:35) So to the extent that we respect the Creator and do his will, we are accepted. If we don't fear Him, and we work unrighteousness, then we are not accepted. Thus, due to our own choices, we are not necessarily equals before God, and we can't be equals with men, but we can be equal in receiving equal rewards and penalties for our actions. Skousen, in The 5000 Year Leap states that we can be TREATED as equals in (1) the sight of God, in (2) the sight of the law, and in (3) the protection of our rights (pg. 103).

The 'Creator' Himself, Jesus Christ, said, "...begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham." (Luke 3:8) Paul elaborated on this, "...they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham...And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3:9, 29) God made a covenant with Abraham and his seed forever. Yet he was just and fair, and didn't limit our blessings and opportunities depending on our lineage. Instead he arranged a way for everyone to be 'adopted', to become the seed of Abraham, thus being able to share in the covenant and blessings reserved for Abraham's children.

We could all take a lesson from our Creator, since we are created in His image, and as such share His attributes. We ought to recognize the differences in individuals, embrace those differences, see them as 'created' sons and daughters of the 'Creator' and treat everyone 'equally'.